Draws dominate Libertadores, see all the last-16 results | OneFootball

Balance was the defining feature of the first-leg Libertadores matchups

Everything will be decided next week! In the first-leg matches of the Copa Libertadores da América round of 16, draws prevailed. In Flamengo’s case, the match ended 1-1 with Cruzeiro at Mineirão. That means the Rubro-Negro side is now just a win away at the Maracanã, next Wednesday (19), from advancing to the quarterfinals.

IN SHORT, WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THE LIBERTADORES ROUND OF 16 FIRST LEGS?

This Thursday (13), two matches continued the competition. Flamengo’s next opponent in the Brasileirão, Mirassol, drew 1-1 with LDU at Estádio Maião. Eduardo opened the scoring for the Brazilians, but the visitors equalized through Estrada.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, Rosario Central, led by Ángel Di María, drew 0-0 with Corinthians. On the Brazilian side, former Flamengo player Allan was sent off, leaving Fernando Diniz’s team down to 10 men. Even so, the visitors managed to hold on for the draw.

WHY WAS ONE MATCH POSTPONED?

Whoever advances from Flamengo and Cruzeiro will face the winner of Tolima and Independiente del Valle. However, that tie has not started yet. That is because Conmebol postponed the match that was supposed to take place last Tuesday (11) due to the strong earthquakes that hit Colombia, leaving hundreds dead and injured. As a result, the clash was moved to next Tuesday (18).

SO, WHEN WILL THE SECOND LEGS TAKE PLACE?

The second-leg matches, except for Del Valle x Tolima, will all be played next week. On Tuesday (18), Fluminense will travel to Argentina to face Rivadavia. Universidad Católica, meanwhile, will host Estudiantes in Chile. Then, on Wednesday (19), the current finalists take the field.

At the Maracanã, Flamengo will host Cruzeiro. In Paraguay, Palmeiras will visit Cerro Porteño. On the same day, Coquimbo x Platense will also take place. To wrap up the Libertadores round of 16, on Thursday (20), Corinthians x Rosario in São Paulo and LDU x Mirassol at the altitude of Quito.

AFTER ALL, WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— This string of draws only shows how balanced the Libertadores is. Next week promises strong emotions. Some Brazilian teams are in a very complicated situation, such as Palmeiras and Mirassol. Flamengo, meanwhile, will have the support of the Nation at the Maracanã to secure a place in the quarterfinals — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.